Wednesday 17 July 2019

Seven Days in Vintage - A Week in the Life



Almost a month into Slow Fashion Season and I've bought something new but I'm not cheating, it's just new to me, not new new. I'd lusted over this vintage 1970s Young Innocent by Arpeja printed cotton maxi after spotting it online ages ago but it was way out of my price range so I was beside myself with joy when I spotted the identical dress in an UK-based vintage selling site last week £100 cheaper. No messing about, I made that beauty mine in the click of the button.


Popular throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Arpeja was a Californian company with divisions which included Young Edwardian (established in 1964), Young Victorian (established in 1967) and Organically Grown (established in 1971). The Young Innocent line was established in 1963 and is the only Arpeja label I haven't owned previously, I couldn't love it more.


A bit of label porn and a close-up of yesterday's earrings, featuring Frida Kahlo's "The Hidden Column" (1944) bought from my festival trading neighbours Shilpa Silver a couple of years ago. I've got a growing collection of their fairly traded, Mexican-made, Frida inspired jewellery. It makes me very sad that Primark are currently using her image on cheap tee shirts.


So what have I been up to on my week off?  To be honest it's taken us the best part of seven days to recover from Glastonbury and Cornbury and my hip's been an utter bastard (thankfully the drugs are finally starting to take effect). On Tuesday we unpacked the van, put the stock away and attempted to tame a garden gone feral after nearly three weeks of neglect and on Wednesday we went charity shopping for the first time in ages, picking up a few vintage gems.

Clockwise from top left: St Michael '70s cotton off-the-shoulder top; 1970s pinstripe wool jacket; 1980s West German military style jacket; Japanese Haiku shirt; 1980s Moss Bros dinner jacket with gold lapels; Japanese raincoat; West German bold stripe blazer; 1970s nylon beach dress; 1970s Alexon Young Set tweed coat; 1980s Windsmoor 50p coin print midi skirt; 1980s butter soft leather jacket by Big Ben; 1980s Hugo of London metallic raincoat; 1970s Peekaboo cotton maxi dress; 1970s john Charles sequin edge-to-edge jacket; 1970s pinstripe waistcoat; Handmade batik crop top

WEARING: Vintage 1970s Indian silk kaftan (eBay) with a Gujarati amulet pendant

On Thursday I donned the Indian silk kaftan I'd won on eBay back in the Spring and we went over to visit friends G&T where we swapped some vintage clothes and went for a rather posh lunch in a gorgeous restored Regency house (HERE). On the way back we discovered an elderly lady lying unconscious in the road, after managing to rouse her we realised to our relief that she was drunk rather than injured. We managed to get her address from her, bundled her in the car and drove her back to her sheltered accommodation, handing her over to a rather bemused security guard. Never a dull moment, eh?

WEARING: Indian cotton jumpsuit, tooled leather belt, junk jewellery necklace (all secondhand/vintage) with Lotta from Stockholm clogs

  On Friday I sorted some stock in readiness for next weekend's event and made the fatal error of trying this 1970s jumpsuit on for size. Made in India by Terrand and a size small, it's identical to one I owned in 1978. As I bought it in Walsall it might even have been my old one. I get told I can't wear 1970s clothes, I remember them the first time around all the time and it drives me daft. Yes, I wore this (or its twin) in the 1970s but back then I had blonde crimped hair, a dental brace and a whole heap of adolescent insecurities. The second time round and things couldn't be more different, the teeth are fixed, the hair's different and at 52 and-a-half I couldn't give a f*ck about what people think.


My trader friend Nat of Eyewood Vintage kindly sent me this sweet '60s velvet bolero as it was too faded for her to sell. On Saturday - after a morning of gardening - I dyed the sun bleached shoulders with one of those root retouch-up pens, removed the beige pom poms and blinged it up with some Indian sequin motifs I bought from a car boot sale years ago. Bollywood-tastic!

Sunday's outfit: Vintage Mayur Indian cotton gauze midi dress (local selling site) worn with a 1970s Indian silk scarf, Ted Lapidus sunglasses (both charity shopped) and Lotta from Stockholm clogs

On Sunday we popped into town for some bird food & organic coconut oil and came back with a 1970s man's cardi, a vintage waistcoat and a Konjac sponge - as you do. I must say how impressed I am with the sponge, my skin feels wonderful (find them HERE). After making some wired headbands from a XXXL pair of pyjamas, we settled down to an epic catch-up of Beecham House. I'm not generally a fan of ITV productions or period dramas (Peaky Blinders being the exception) but it's set in India, directed by Gurinder Chadha (Bhaji on the Beach, Bride and Prejudice) and stars the lovely Grégory Fitoussi of epic French cop series Spiral. Whilst it's not going to win any Oscars, its perfectly watchable and we loved spotting places we'd visited in Delhi and Jaipur including Amber Fort which I wrote about HERE.

WEARING: Vintage Dollyrockers pure silk tropical print maxi, designed by Samuel Sherman for his 1967 collection, bought from eBay in 2010 and Lotta from Stockholm clogs (bought in 2018)

On Monday, wearing the dress pictured above, we met up with the Dead Relatives Society for lunch in 'Spoons and ended up getting home at 10.30. The cats were disgusted with us, we told them we'd be back for tea. Despite the outrageous behaviour of the day before we were up and out early to go charity shopping where we picked up a few more interesting bits.

Clockwise from top left: 1980s Hawaiian shirt; Hell Bunny Vixen circle skirt; 1980s oversized shirt featuring embroidered ducks; 1980s green velvet tailor-made in Birmingham jacket; Circus print shirt; 1970s belted crimplene tunic; 1980s pure new wool & velvet trimmed Windsmoor coat dress; 1980s brocade waistcoat; 1980s Italian-made leisure shirt
Today I'm wearing cut down shorts, a vintage Indian block printed top and doing a trial set-up in readiness for The Great Gatsby weekender. We're so excited about a trip to the English seaside, it's been decades since we last went.



Do come along and visit us if you can.


See you soon!

56 comments:

  1. Such beautiful dresses Vix....and I love the jump suit. Wouldn't it be fun if it turned out it was the one you originally had...lol.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! the world is full of strange coincidences so it wouldn't surprise me if that jumpsuit really had found its way back to me! xxx

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  2. Gorgeous as ever, I especially love the jumpsuit on you and the Dollyrockers dress. Have you got a list of events you will be at this year? Wish I was nearer to Bexhill, perhaps you could pick me up on your way past?! xx

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    1. Lovely to hear from you! As soon as I know what we're doing I'll let you know - most of the event organisers realise dates in dribs and drabs so I never know where we're going to be from one month to the next. It does look like Judy's have knocked Bath on the head now, though. xxx

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  3. Some lovely vintage Vix. I hope your hip feels better soon xxx

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  4. Isn't it wonderful that you can still fit into that jumpsuit after all these years? I bet it looks even better on you now. That'd be really wild if it were the exact same you wore originally.

    "I've never met a young innocent before" sounds like a really bad pick-up line.

    That last dress of yours is amazing and suits you perfectly.

    I hope you're wearing something Gatsby inspired to this show!

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Trying that jumpsuit on took me right back, my Mum would have been overjoyed to have seen me wearing it!
      No Great Gatsby gear for me - it's hard enough trying to look presentable in my normal gear when I'm living in a van! xxx

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  5. I've found a dress that used to be my mom's in the 70s, and a skirt that was mine in the 80s, as well as an old bracelet that was mine - it's amazing what comes back around when you start really looking.

    I love that Arpeja label! I've never heard of that line (Victoria is not where you'd find hippie-era clothes!). You look amazing in everything. What a great idea to touch up the "roots" of that velvet top - you look awesome in it, Vix!

    Oh, those grumpy boys - we've done that to Vizzini as well, and he's quite peeved with us for at least an hour after we get home!

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    1. How exciting to find your old stuff! I've seen a couple of girls on Instagram wearing 1980s clothes I recognised as having in the Sixth Form, I was able to date them to the exact year - they loved it! xxx

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  6. Has your Dr uttered the dreaded o word with regard to your hip(operation)? As someone who has joint pain almost all the time I certainly feel for you, especially when you are on your feet so much in festival season. As always you have the right attitude, being such a positive soul does a lot for your health. I saw a picture of Laura Dern - with Bradley Cooper (American Actress) this am and thought of you - that dress she is wearing is beautiful but unlikely to be vintage. https://ca.yahoo.com/style/bradley-cooper-makes-rare-appearance-201245223.html

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    1. Laura Dern looks fabulous, doesn't she? I don't think that dress is vintage but I'd wear it in a heartbeat!
      The last time I was x-rayed the surgeon said it was bad but nowhere near as knackered as my left side - so glad the pain's gone now! xxx

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  7. I must admit that I slipped up at the weekend too as I bought a new green cloak from the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. I've been looking for several years, but they have never been right, but this was perfect both colour and price wise. I completely forgot until the deed was done. Lovely set of threads as ever Vix Arilx

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    1. Your cape was a thoughtful purchase rather than an impulse buy, I'm sure that's okay!
      I haven't been tempted with anything new - which isn't difficult, I rarely look in proper shops anyway! xxx

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  8. That Young Innocent dress is even more amazing than I thought when I first saw it on Instagram. Not only are its colours and print utterly fabulous, it looks as if it was custom made for you! And ooh, I love a bit of label porn! In fact, all your outfits are gorgeous, with a special mention for your Bollywood bolero, 1970s jumpsuit and the Dollyrockers maxi! Wishing you all kinds of fun and luck at the seaside, and I wouldn't mind checking out the De La Warr Pavilion. xxx

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    1. I do love that Young Innocent dress - I keep getting stopped and complimented on it every time I go out in it, always a bonus! xxx

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  9. How wonderful to think that that could be your jumpsuit and it's found it's way back to you!
    xx

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  10. Every ensemble is more spectacular than the last. And they all looks like a photo spread taken in Vix's garden of earthly delights. A coffee table book should be forthcoming.

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  11. Loved all the outfits and I was particularly enamoured of your lovely big yellow pendant necklace.

    I am not all surprised that it's taken you nearly a week to recover from Glasto and Cornbury! I'm glad that you are now feeling refreshed and that the hip is less painful. I find the four hours of standing in the charity shop on Mondays makes my back ache and I try to have a bit of a sit down when I get home. I'd probably be dead if I did what you do over two festivals!

    I had no idea about Frida Kahlo's image being on Primarni's t shirts. I assume there is no copyright otherwise your lovely Frida earrings and Monica's fab Frida brooch wouldn't be possible; or the lovely Frida material I saw covering a chair on the internet! I suppose it's the tackiness of Primark...

    By the way, Julian loved his shirt from Kinky Melon and wore it on stage!

    I'm loving the 80s yellow coin printed skirt you scored in the chazzas; a wonderful haul as usual!

    Have a lovely weekend at the seaside!
    xxxx

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    1. Thanks Vronni! That yellow pendant is a bit of a showstopper, isn't it?
      I'm delighted Julian wore his shirt on stage, it looked so good on him.
      Isn't the print on that skirt fantastic? 1980s fashion certainly excelled in quirky prints and colourful designs.
      The hot weather has finally sorted out the hip - thank god - no pain since Tuesday! xxx

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  12. I think I would struggle after two hard-selling festivals! I love all your outfits. That jumpsuit is really nice! It looks so different from your usual attire too- I love the contrast and the colours are perfect! How nice of your friend to send you the INdian bolero!
    I've not been in Primark for a while. Unlike those who use it for fast fashion, I've had things from there I have worn for years and years (from the age of 11)- I've liked cotton items but the smell in there!! It reaks of artificial fabrics and plastic and it's all too much! Your next event sounds exciting!

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    1. I know that horrid smell! There's a stall on Walsall market that sells the likes New Look, Select and Boohoo seconds, those synthetics smell like nothing on earth, almost like rancid chicken - yuk! x

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  13. I've never bought clothes off ebay. I bet you can find some interesting vintage styles.
    Coffee is on

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    1. Ebay is absolutely brilliant, there's something for everyone! x

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  14. I can't imagine how hard you must work when you get back from a fair. Especially when you throw garden maintenance into the mix! I am so envious that you can find 70's originals where you are. Over here, it's nearly impossible!

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    1. We try and hit the ground running after a fair, once we sit down and relax we're good for nothing! x

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  15. Hoorah for the old lady breaking free and getting sozzled. That'll be me in 30 years.

    You have made some amazing buys this summer. That Young Innocent dress is so you! I hope your hip is feeling much better now.

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    1. That old lady knows how to live, doesn't she? An example to us all! xxx

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  16. you look stunning!! i love this dress!! its just beautiful!

    Jadieegosh

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  17. think my earlir comment got lost in cyberspace, see you have that fabulous silk dress on again - feeling jealous! you have such a lot of colour in your wardrobe - and your clogs go with so many things.

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    1. Sorry about that dress - I think of you every time I wear it! xxx

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  18. Wow Vix, every outfit is absolutely spectacular and just reinforces that you don't have to always be buying new stuff to feel and look fabulous!
    I adore your vintage Dollyrockers tropical dress- it's gorgeous! Hope the Great Gatsby Weekender is fun! X

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    1. Thanks so much, Jess! Why buy new when there's so many fabulous secondhand clothes out there? xxx

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  19. I love that jumpsuit and the thought that it could be yours from back in the day! I still think wistfully about some of the clothes I had as a teenager and loved but let go!
    Hope the hip isn't too painful for this weekend's festival xx

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    1. Thanks, Mil! I wish I'd got so many of the clothes from my teens including the green satin Bus Stop jumpsuit I had for my 13th birthday! xxx

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  20. young innocent? wahoo - what a gorgeous dress - very worth waiting for it!
    but i do love all the clothes you´r wearing here. finding that jumpsuit from your youth is very cool!
    nurture your hip and have a great weekend with the great gatsby - would come along if i could - if only to buy that necklace the taylors model is wearing.... ;-D
    xxxxx

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    1. That Young Innocent is a dream to wear, I love seersucker, so cool and airy. No wonder UK school summer dresses used to be made from it back in my youth! x

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  21. Your hip has some nerve acting up before the season is over-fingers crossed it behaves a bit longer. You found some wonderful menswear in your shopping. I wonder how long that poor woman was in the street before you stopped to help?

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    1. Thank you! It's so exciting to find great quality menswear, most chaps used to wear their stuff to death! x

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  22. Oh don't you look fabulous in that jumpsuit?! And in everything else you're wearing here, of course! You have had a very busy summer, I hope that your trip to the seaside was fun and that your hip is feeling better. xx

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    1. Thanks so much! I feel very different wearing jumpsuits, still me but a bit feistier! xxx

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  23. That dress is really pretty but i love the silk one , Hope your hip is not giving you to much jip now xxx

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    1. Thanks, Eileen! This warm weather seems to have done the trick, I've been pain-free since Tuesday - hooray! xxx

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  24. That Arpeja dress is a Vix dress if ever I saw one. I agree with Suzanne - "I've never met a young innocent before" is a pretty creepy pickup line! Wouldn't that be something if that WAS your old jumpsuit? I hope you're having a marvelous time at the Great Gatsby Fair - looking forward to photos!

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    1. Thanks, Shelley! I wonder if that is my old jumpsuit? Wouldn't it be odd if it was? x

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  25. Totally love your 'Young innocent' dress, those colors are amazing!, and those labels! really cool!. Don't understand why we can't wear 70's fashion the second time around, I think it's doubled fabulousness!, particularly because you can enjoy it now more consciously and have more fun!
    And I'm glad that you helped the elder lady to come back home after her adventures!, not everybody is so kind!
    Love your silk kaftan (once more, the colors are amazing) and the striped jumpsuit!, it fits you like a dream and you are particularly Gorgeous in it!
    And I'm totally in love with the dollyrockers colorful dress, wowww, that's fabulousness!
    Your stall looks really appealing (as usual!!!) and I'm sure it's going to be a total success!. Wish your hip behaves nicely!
    besos

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    1. Thanks, Monica! I hate to think how long that poor lady had lain there, people can be so judgmental, can't they? xxx

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  26. The Young Innocent dress is fabulous and the colours are so you! I like the idea of wearing things second time around, why not? That jumpsuit from the seventies looks amazing on you. It is as it was made for you!!! That tropical print maxi dress is such a dream, the colours are fantastic.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ivana! It's quite exciting wearing something a second time around, you really do see how much you've changed! x

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  27. I've come across several Arpeja dresses and loved them all. Though this one is particularly outstanding. But then every single outfit in this post is pretty fabulous!

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    1. Thank you! I made the mistake of Googling Arpeja dresses after finding this one, there's some beauties out there! x

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  28. Oh wow the dresses are amazing, the Dollyrockers one is my fave - the print and color are outstanding.

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix